NRA: Violent Movies Bad, Except When They're Cool

Goldurn violent movies keep turning people crazy. Only now, says the NRA, those violent movies are pretty cool. From their Top 10 list of “Coolest Gun Movies,” there’s this about The Godfather:

“While not rip-roaring with action, this film affected millions in many different ways with its cinematography, plot and underlying themes, such as how with determination anyone can become powerful, even if that power is of the criminal nature. Who has not dreamed of having the power and respect of Michael Corleone? That he built his empire through violence is only that much more alluring.”

So there you have it: “alluring violence” and dreams of power. So there’s that.

There’s also weirdly wistful language about preparation for apocalypse throughout.

And here’s some of the introductory copy:

“Some of these movies, though, have affected our next gun purchase or made us think about situations for which we should be prepared. Many of these movies also take us back to simpler times, when dreaming of saving the day got us through that oh-so boring class.”

Exhibit A on the list? Red Dawn.

What I find disconcerting is the strength of paranoia about end times, gun grabs and invasions when such horrific and very real disasters as yesterday’s Oklahoma tornado happen with relative frequency compared to the disasters that preppers are readying themselves for.

Maybe that’s a key element: I can remember many an occasion in my Tornado Alley childhood that called for huddling in rows along interior hallways because of nearby tornados. It became old hat, but was sometimes terrifying, especially if you could hear a twister. We were all basically helpless, adults and children. Maybe that kind of helplessness contributes–in some cases–to the drive to possess the trappings of power, including guns?